| Subject/Law | Long guns | Handguns | Revised Code of Washington | Notes |
|---|
| State permit required to purchase? | Partial | No | | Must be 21 to purchase a pistol or semiautomatic rifle. Since July 2019, the purchaser of a semiautomatic rifle must provide proof of completing a recognized firearm safety training program in the last five years.[23] |
| Firearm registration? | Partial | Partial | RCW 09.41.110(9)(a) and (b) | Retail dealers must record and report all retail pistol sales to local police/sheriff and to state department of licensing, and must record and report all semiautomatic rifle sales after July 1, 2019.[24] |
| Owner license required? | No | No | | |
| Constitutional Right to Bear Arms? | Yes | Yes | WA Constitution art. 1 sec. 24 | |
| Permit required for concealed carry? | N/A | Yes | RCW 09.41.050 CCW Reciprocity | Washington is a "shall-issue" state and will grant concealed carry permits to all applicants who meet the criteria. There are no training requirements. |
| Permit required for open carry? | No | No | RCW 09.41.050 (in vehicle) | Open carry is lawful in Washington without any permit. Open carry of a loaded handgun in a vehicle is legal only with a concealed pistol license. Open carry of a loaded long gun in a vehicle is illegal, regardless of CPL possession.
On January 31, 2019, the Washington Court of Appeals ruled that the mere possession of a handgun is not sufficient for conducting a Terry stop.[25] |
| State preemption of local restrictions? | Yes | Yes | RCW 09.41.290 RCW 09.41.300 | State law does not allow more restrictive local laws.
Seattle and Edmonds have passed ordinances mandating safe storage of firearms when not being carried or used. Seattle's ordinance also has reporting requirement for lost or stolen firearms within 24 hours. Both cities are being sued for violation of state preemption.[26][27] Edmonds had its ordinance struck down in October 2019.[28] |
| Assault weapons law? | Yes | Yes | | As of April 25, 2023, the sale, distribution, importation, and manufacturing of semi-automatic firearms classified as assault weapons are prohibited. Possession of assault weapons already owned remains legal. |
| Magazine capacity restrictions? | Yes | Yes | | As of July 1, 2022, the manufacture, distribution, and sale of magazines that have a capacity of over 10 rounds are prohibited. The possession of such magazines, however, is not restricted. |
| NFA weapons restricted? | Partial | Partial | RCW 09.41.190 RCW 09.41.220 RCW 09.41.225 RCW 09.41.250(1)(c) | Machine guns and short-barreled shotguns—unless purchased before July 1, 1994—are illegal for non-law-enforcement possession. Suppressors, destructive devices and any other weapons are lawful to possess and use if registered properly with ATF. Short barreled rifles are lawful to possess and use if registered properly with the ATF, as of June 12, 2014.[29] |
| Peaceable Journey laws? | No | No | RCW 09.41.050 RCW 09.41.060 18 USC § 926A CCW Reciprocity | Federal travel-with-a-firearm laws apply. Some out-of-state CCW licenses valid, otherwise carry must be open or, in a vehicle, unloaded. |
| Castle Doctrine / Stand your ground law? | Not defined - de facto | RCW 9A.16.050, RCW 9A.16.110 | The Washington State Supreme Court ruled "that there is no duty to retreat when a person is assaulted in a place where he or she has a right to be."[30][31] | |
| Background checks required for private sales? | Yes | Yes | Initiative 594 (2014) | Private party firearm transfers must be conducted through a licensed dealer, who is required by federal law to conduct a background check and keep a record of the sale, unless one of the specifically enumerated exceptions in RCW 9.41.113.[32] |
| Red flag law? | Yes | Yes | | The police may temporarily take guns away from people a judge deems a threat to themselves or others without notice to the defendant. If the defendant does not appear to request the restrictions be lifted, they will remain in place.[33] |
